Lontalius “I’ll Forget 17”

Who better than a 19-year-old New Zealander based in Los Angeles to correctly and holistically integrate the central themes, motifs and production ideas of classic indie rock and modern RnB into a new emotional sound?

While born on the internet, the album resonates with late night feelings and calm of expansive outdoor terrain everywhere. Lontalius might forget 17, but chances are we won’t.

Myele Manzanza “OnePointOne”

This is yet another great example of what happens when a generation of practised and passionate musicians raised on hip-hop, neo-soul and beats start making their own takes on jazz, soul and funk, as filtered through that particular frame.

London has Yuseef Kamaal, Los Angeles has Kamasi Washington, and Wellington, New Zealand has Myele Manzanza. “OnePointOne” (live at bluewhale) is a window into his celestial jazz ‘n’ beats visions, one you’ll want to gaze through for a while.

Purple Pilgrims “Eternal Delight”

Psychic sisters, also the daughter of a psychic mother (and potentially a psychic grandmother, and great grandmother) grow up between Christchurch, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Homeschooling amplifies their sense of myth and legend, and love of music.

After a series of earthquakes level Christchurch, they travel the world performing a pastoral-but-increasing-cybernetic brand of dream pop. Tours with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Gary War and Ensemble Economique lead to 10” and 12” vinyl singles, and after an extended recording stint in the North Island kiwi bush, the ethereal delights of “Eternal Delight”.

Soothing, thoughtful and brave, it’s one of my favourite albums of the year.

SmokeyGotBeatz Presents “SWIDT VS Everybody”

When I was in Los Angeles in July, I played a few of Onehunga rap crew SWIDT’s songs to an Uber driver while we were driving down the freeway. It was one of those scenarios when by half way through the song, he was somehow already singing along and knew the words?

I’m not going to go into detail here, but this is what happens when a group of young Pacific Islanders from New Zealand not only reinterpret the West Coast American rap, g-funk and p-funk they love into a fresh regional take, they actually get the opportunity to work closely with some of their heroes.